The Bachelor of Arts in Decision Analytics degree from the School of Continuing and Professional Studies (SCPS) is an interdisciplinary degree dedicated to the collection, analysis and communication of Big Data, a term used to reflect the challenging complexities and dynamic nature of large data sets today. Decision analysts have a keen sense of data and are able to apply critical reasoning to both qualitative and quantitative data in context. They are able to ask the right questions and formulate problems to facilitate analysis. As such, they are able to understand the organization from a systems perspective. They are comfortable learning new technologies in this dynamic field, particularly database, statistical and visualization software. They also excel in working collaboratively, dealing with ambiguity, creative problem solving, and communication skills.
The BA in Decision Analytics has a strong industry orientation that is specifically geared to provide students with the knowledge and skills they can apply in jobs they hold today and to enable them to advance in their careers.
This major is designed for working adult students and provides:
- Flexible scheduling including online options available
- Financial Aid, flexible payment options, and special adult student tuition pricing
- Acceleration and affordability through transfer credit and prior learning assessment (PLA) credit
- Opportunities to combine bachelor's and master’s programs and apply graduate courses to both programs
- Individualized program planning, course selection and advising assistance provided
- Enhanced career opportunities through professional portfolio development, and career placement services instruction from industry practitioners, and wide-ranging Career Services support
- Degree granted by DePaul University, with its excellent academic reputation and the opportunity to join its prestigious and extensive alumni network
| Program Requirements | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|
| College Core Requirements | 78 |
| Major and Concentration Requirements | 68 |
| Open Electives | 46 |
| Total hours required | 192 |
Learning Outcomes
Students will be able to:
- Select and apply data analysis strategies to clarify situations.
- Identify patterns and relationships in data.
- Evaluate decisions based on logical analysis of data.
- Investigate problems using qualitative and quantitative methods.
- Apply ethical principles in context.
- Apply various methods of communication in multiple settings.
- Analyze and apply different liberal arts perspectives.
College Core (78 credits, 20 credits in residence):
Lifelong Learning Requirements (32 credits, 16 credits in residence):
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| LL 201 | REFLECTIVE LEARNING 1 | 2 |
| or RPL 101 | PRIOR LEARNING ASSESSMENT | |
| LL 305 | ACTIVE CITIZENS: MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN THE COMMUNITY, WORKPLACE WORLD | |
| LL 205 | QUANTITATIVE REASONING | 4 |
| or LL 206 | ADVANCED MATH FOR PROFESSIONAL STUDIES | |
| LL 261 | ESSAY WRITING | 4 |
| LL 270 | CRITICAL THINKING | 4 |
| LL 290 | RESEARCH WRITING 1 | 4 |
| LL 301 | RESEARCH METHODS 1 | 6 |
| LL 302 | EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING PRACTICUM 1 | 4 |
Liberal Learning Requirements (46 credits, 4 credits in residence):
- Liberal Arts in Action Requirement: CCA 281, CCH 281, CCS 281 or courses with LA1 designation, 6 credits
- CORE CURRICULUM ARTS & IDEAS, courses with the CCA, AL, PI, or RD requirement designations, 12 credits
- CORE CURRICULUM HUMAN COMMUNITY, courses with the CCH, SCBI, or HI requirement designations, 12 credits
- CORE CURRICULUM SCIENTIFIC WORLD, courses with the CCSW, SI, SILB, or SISK requirement designations, 12 credits
- IN 307 INTEGRATIVE LEARNING, 4 credits 1
- 1
Must be completed in residence.
Major Requirements (68 credit hours)
40 credit hours must be completed in residence in the major, including FA 199 and LL 303.
Professional Studies Core (20 credits, 8 credits in residence)
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CAREER ASSESSMENT AND PLANNING | ||
| FA 199 | CAREER ASSESSMENT AND PLANNING 1 | 2 |
| PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATIONS | ||
| DCM 330 | PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATION IN THE WORKPLACE | |
| ETHICS OR SOCIAL JUSTICE, courses with the PSES requirement designation. Choose one of the following: | ||
| DCM 317 | ETHICS IN THE PROFESSIONS | 2 |
| DCM 318 | SOCIAL JUSTICE IN THE PROFESSIONS | 2 |
| CREATIVITY OR INNOVATION, courses with the PSCI requirement designation. Choose one of the following: | ||
| CCA 170 | CREATIVITY AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP | 2 |
| DCM 319 | CREATIVITY AND INNOVATIVE THINKING | 2 |
| GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES, courses with the PSGP requirement designation. Choose one of the following: | ||
| CCH 283 | GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES OF WORK & FAMILY | 4 |
| CCH 300 | GLOBALIZATION AND PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE | 4 |
| CAPSTONE PROJECT | ||
| LL 303 | CAPSTONE PROJECT 1 | 6 |
- 1
Must be completed in residence.
Decision Analytics Courses (24 credit hours)
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MAT 130 | FUNCTIONS AND MATHEMATICAL MODELS | |
| DA 200 | DATA ANALYTICS | |
| DA 233 | APPLIED INFORMATION MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS | |
| DSC 323 | DATA ANALYSIS AND REGRESSION | 4 |
| IT 223 | DATA ANALYSIS | 4 |
| IT 240 | INTRODUCTION TO DATABASES | 4 |
Concentration Requirements (24 credit hours)
Students must also complete the requirements from either the General or Computing concentrations.